"Medical-Government Standoff at a Major Turning Point in the Second Half"
Ongoing Discussions on Issues Facing Military Service Residents Expected
As the deadline for the second half recruitment of residents, who will begin their training in September, approaches, residents gathered in one place and voted to reaffirm the Emergency Response Committee of the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA). The KIRA Emergency Response Committee announced that, with this renewed mandate, it will continue its efforts to ensure that the voices from the field are reflected in improving residents' training environments. At the same time, the committee stated it will continue discussions to guarantee the continuity of training for residents who have already enlisted and are serving in the military.
On August 18, the KIRA Emergency Response Committee held an extraordinary general assembly at the Korean Medical Association (KMA) building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where a vote on the renewed mandate was conducted. Of the 103 votes cast by attendees, 95 were in favor (92.2%), passing the motion. There were 2 votes against and 6 abstentions.
Hansungjon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Korean Intern Resident Association, is speaking at the extraordinary general assembly held at the Korean Medical Association building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News
During the meeting, after gathering opinions from the representatives of residents at each hospital, the KIRA Emergency Response Committee pledged to continue efforts to fulfill three main demands: 1) forming a consultative body centered on field experts to review the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's essential medical policy package, 2) improving the training environment for residents and ensuring training continuity, and 3) establishing a discussion body to ease the legal burdens related to medical accidents. The committee plans to deliver the outcomes of this discussion at the fourth training consultative body meeting scheduled for August 21.
Jung Jungil, spokesperson for the KIRA Emergency Response Committee, stated, "Previously, the focus was on discussing ways to ensure training continuity, but now we intend to discuss more concrete measures to improve the training environment." He added, "As for residents who have already enlisted, discussions have not yet concluded, so further discussion is needed."
The KIRA Emergency Response Committee believes that residents who resigned and are currently serving in the military should be able to resume their training at their original hospitals after discharge. At the third training consultative body meeting, the committee also recommended that the continuity of training for such residents should be guaranteed.
With the second half recruitment of residents underway, there is hope that the outcome of the fourth training consultative body meeting could influence the willingness of residents to return. Hansungjon, chairman of the Emergency Response Committee, commented, "We are not separately collecting statements of intent from resigned residents regarding their return." He continued, "Some are still hesitant, and the degree of hesitation varies by individual, but if trust can be restored through forums like the fourth training consultative body meeting, even if not immediately, I believe conditions will be created for their eventual return."
The KIRA expects that the current second half recruitment will mark a turning point in the medical-government standoff that has lasted for a year and a half. In his opening remarks, Chairman Han referred to the ongoing recruitment, stating, "The medical-government standoff that has continued for a year and a half stands at a major turning point." However, he also emphasized, "While we are concerned about the future, we must not forget why this situation began. The previous administration's unilateral and oppressive policy implementation caused residents to lose their dreams and left them wandering without direction."
He went on to say, "Although it may appear that everything ended with the launch of the new administration, the fundamental spark that ignited this situation has not been fully extinguished. Our foundation remains unstable, and minor disruptions persist in various places." He added, "It may take considerable time and effort to rebuild, but I believe that with restored trust, Korea's critical and core medical services can be rebuilt."
Currently, the second half recruitment targeting resigned residents and others is underway. Among the five major tertiary hospitals in Seoul, known as the 'Big 5,' Samsung Medical Center closed its application period on this day, while the other four are set to close later this week. Hanyang University Hospital, which closed its internship applications on this day, received 35 applicants for 71 available positions (including affiliated hospitals). The deadline for resident applications has been extended to August 26, and the hospital is considering whether to accept additional intern applications as well.
The KIRA suggests that, given ongoing discussions on medical issues such as the upcoming training consultative body meeting on August 21, hospitals may consider extending their recruitment deadlines for residents. Chairman Han stated, "As far as I know, each hospital is currently completing recruitment autonomously and reporting within the month of August." He added, "If additional grounds for decision-making (regarding return) emerge and more persuasive arguments can be made, it is only right that opportunities to resume training should be opened."
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, training hospitals nationwide are recruiting a total of 13,498 residents for the second half of the year, including 3,006 interns, 3,207 first-year residents, and 7,285 upper-year residents (second to fourth year).
If a resigned resident returns to their original hospital and department, they will be accepted according to procedures, even if this exceeds the quota, by recognizing the additional number retroactively. The government also announced that for residents awaiting enlistment, measures will be taken to allow them to complete their training before enlisting, if possible.
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